The Lion, The Witch, and The Discourse: A Critical Examination of Gender and Race in The Chronicles of Narnia Films

Abstract

This project is a critical examination of the recent 2005 and 2008 adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia, how U.S. social discourses are represented and upheld through film and media, how morality has become assigned to and associated with the films, how this association makes the films’ messages seem like “common sense,” and finally, this thesis takes a critical lens as part of the larger goal of critical studies to mitigate harm on personal and cultural identity for women and minorities. There are chapters devoted to critical discourse analysis (CDA) theoretical framework, and discourse analyses of each of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) and Prince Caspian (2008) films. Finally, concluding remarks are on the potential power of film, and specifically the recent cinematic Chronicles of Narnia, to promote and perpetuate understandings of morality and interpretations of social discourses for audiences.